2S2 GAUDEN MA^-AGEJrE^^•. 



617. Vines in houses, started in October, will now be swelling their fruit. 

 Thin in time, and maintain a steadj^ growing temperature of 65°. 



61S. Those started in January will show their bunches this month, and a 

 temperature from 55° to 60° will be suitable. Some prefer leaving the dis- 

 budding until the bunches show, and then leave the best. This is safe prac- 

 tice, and I don't think the buds up to this stage exhaust the vine much, 



619. In many places the first or second house will be started this month. 

 See that all loose bark is removed from the vines— that they are thoroughly 

 cleaned with soap-and-water, and painted over with a thick coating of equal 

 parts of sulphur, soot, lime, and cowdung, made into a paste with strong soap- 

 suds, previous to starting them. Begin with a temperature of 45°, and slowly 

 and gradually increase it during the month 10° or 10°. Maintain a genial at- 

 mosphere in all the houses, by sprinkling the paths, syringing, &c. ; and give as 

 much air as the weather will permit, allowing a rise of 10° or 15° during sun- 

 shine. Grapes grown in pots require the same general treatment as those 

 planted out. It will very much hasten the ripening of the fruit, if the pots 

 are maintained in a steady bottom-heat of from 70° to S0°. 



620. Pines.— Yvom 65° to 70° should be the minimum temperature during 

 the month : the bottom-heat may range from 5° to 10° higher. During dull 

 weather a dry atmosphere must be preserved. The plants should be carefully 

 examined previous to watering, and this operation, whenever necessary, per- 

 formed so as to prevent the water getting into the axils of the leaves. Plants 

 swelling their fruit should be placed at the warmest end of the house, and those 

 intended for autumn or winter fruiting kept steadily growing, carefully guard- 

 ing against any sudden check. Succession-plants in pots must be kept rather 

 dry, and the linings and coverings carefully attended to. 



621. Peaches.— In their early stages these are very impatient of heat. Begin 

 with a temperature of 40°, and gradually rise to 50°. This should not be much 

 exceeded until the fruit is set : then, by gradual ascent, from 5° to 10° may 

 be added ; and this is the maximum of fire-heat for peaches until the ticklish 

 period of stoning is over. Syringe twice daily in bright weather, except when 

 the trees are in flower. The borders should have a good soaking, if dry, 

 before forcing commences. Give as much air as the weather will permit at all 

 times. Unless bees make their appearance, the trees should often be gently 

 shaken when in flower, and the pollen distributed by a camel-hair pencil, to 

 insure the fructification of the blossoms. 



622. F;(/s will bear a higher temperature than peaches, and may be started 

 at 50°. The terminal buds of the young shoot should be removed; to insure r. 

 good crop. Maintain a moist atmosphere, and water copiously when necessarj% 



623. Orchard-houses should stand open night and day, unless during severe 

 frosts. Plants in pots must not, however, be allowed to become too dry. The 

 trees would be benefitted by being painted over with a similar composition to 

 that recommended for vines. This would tend to prevent the attacks of 

 insects, kill all moss and fungi, and render the buds safe from the ravages 

 of birds, which often play sad havoc with trees in orchard-houses. 



